OSG and Outerlimits team up for 2008

Italian outfit OSG has picked a new hull from American firm Outerlimits for 2008. 2006 Evolution-class champion team boss Giancarlo Cangiano is eager for a return to title-winning form

Some racers say that second place is not the runner-up spot – it’s merely first of the losers. You can almost certainly believe that Giancarlo Cangiano, team owner and throttleman of the #88 OSG Outerlimits boat shares that mentality.

The Italian is one of Powerboat P1’s longest-standing entrants and probably one of its biggest supporters, bringing his natural Neopolitan charm and enthusiasm to the series’ many harbours around the world. “P1 has something special,” he says. “More charm and the human factor. It’s more spectacular, and the boats are more beautiful."

But the passion, enthusiasm and joie de vivre of this bubbly Italian for Powerboat P1 racing is matched by a steely drive to win, and – after coming second to the #99 King Of Shaves Fountain team in the 2007 Evolution class title chase – he’s more revved up than ever to recapture his 2006 Evolution class title and head the field again in 2008. To that end, the Italian team has opted to sideline its Donzi boat and Sterling engines from the Evolution class for the coming season in favour of a potentially potent package combining the sleek Outerlimits boat with Mercury Racing power.

Competing in the distinctive twin open-cockpit Donzi wasn’t an option for OSG under the new full-canopy rules for 2008, but this is no force majeure. American Rhode Island-based boat builder Outerlimits entered the Powerboat P1 series in 2007 to help its expansion into Europe, but president Mike Fiore has decided to up the game for 2008. Its new, longer SV-43 boat takes the knowledge gleaned from running the SV-40 with Aquasports’ Lucas Oil boat in 2007 and takes it to the next level.

“We’re very proud that, based on the performance of our boat in 2007, OSG – one of the most successful teams in Powerboat P1 has selected Outerlimits,” says Outerlimits owner and president Mike Fiore. “We’ve felt a bond with OSG since we first came to the series, and were welcomed by Giancarlo as a competitor and also as a friend. We gained much experience in our first year of racing in Europe. We built our international presence and discovered some ways to adjust our well-received SV-40 for the longer distance endurance races and rough water in Europe.”

Cangiano is certainly happy to get his hands on an Outerlimits boat. “At first, we were just very impressed by the appearance of the Outerlimits,” he says. “But when we saw it perform in the rough water of Malta – as well as the calmer waters of other events – we were amazed at the boat’s strength, handling and speed. The water in Zeebrugge was real Powerboat P1 water – rough and unpredictable. The boat’s dominance there was the convincing factor. We knew we wanted to race an Outerlimits. The team at Outerlimits is extremely dedicated to building the best boat on the market – anywhere. I’m excited to have the team who will bring this technology and design to Europe.”

Joining Cangiano in the cockpit will be pilot Joe Sgro, who certainly knows all about Outerlimits’ potential after driving the Aquasports-run Lucas Oil boat alongside throttleman Nigel Hook in 2007. “As a 25-year racer who knows the intricacies of this boat, Joe will provide an extra competitive edge in the cockpit,” says Fiore. “He and Giancarlo will prove that our Mercury Racing-powered hull can outperform anyone in the Evolution class.”

Sgro is certainly excited by the prospect of taking the new SV-43 to race-winning glory, and is looking forward to his new partnership with Cangiano and the OSG outfit. “Giancarlo is very driven to win, and he’s certainly a great competitor, so I’m sure we’ll make a good team,” he says.

The new package certainly caused a stir at the Miami International Boat Show, where it was displayed – elevated – on a plinth that thrust the bow straight into the air. Whether it causes a similar stir in Powerboat P1 remains to be seen. But one thing’s sure, Giancarlo Cangiano will be trying as hard as ever to make sure that he’s not first of the losers again.